Youthful MacArthur gains playoffs

MacArthur girls’ lacrosse coach Dan Agovino is in a position to be patient. 

Agovino’s Generals, amidst a three-game losing streak, are headed to the playoffs as they’ve built a 9-7 record (6-3 in Conference 3.) But no matter happens when it faces Calhoun in Friday’s quarterfinals, there is a big lacrosse future in Levittown.

MacArthur starts nine freshmen, including its star goalie Abby Clarkson. 

“We have a real young core and we’re looking to build the program off that core,’’ said Agovino, head coach since 2016. “We as a coaching staff are very excited about it.’’ 

But that doesn’t mean MacArthur isn’t attempting to do some damage in the playoffs after coming off a losing season in 2022. 

“The freshmen gained a lot of playing experience throughout the season and with their talent level, when you hit the postseason, anything is possible,’’ said Agovino, who has won two straight Nassau County championships as football coach at North Shore. “We’ll see if we can give it a go.’’

“Sometimes freshmen in high pressure situations will make a mistake that seniors won’t make but we’re embracing the process and building the foundation for the future,’’ he added.

Goaltending is a position where experience matters but Clarkson is proving a freshman can not hold down the position with aplomb. She has 132 saves, averaging 10 per start. 

“One of her strong points is she’s really composed after a save,’’ said Agovino, whose assistant coach is Susan Ballantyne. “She makes some good clears and outlets, getting the ball back up the field.’’ 

MacArthur has spread out its scoring. In fact, before Friday’s 9-7 victory over Hewlett, three players were tied for the team lead with 21 goals apiece.

Freshmen Eve Larkin now has (22 goals with 9 assists for 30 points.  lefty attacker Kayleigh Huggard (21 goals with 8 assists. Senior Gianna Feniello leads the club with 23 goals after scoring twice against Hewlett. 

Larkin is known as the team’s best finisher but junior Anastasia Angelakis is considered the most valuable performer. Angelakis has 17 goals and 10 assists.  

“I call her the heartbeat of the team,’’ Agovino said. “We run a zone defense not a lot of teams run. She’s our backer. She got to quarterback the defense and transition to midfield and play offense.  She keeps everything in control so much so that at midseason I elevated her to captain. She’s really become a leader with how hard she works.’’ 

Agovino has only three seniors who start, including top defender Marissa Cardon, Sophia Marino and Feniello. Agovino says the squad is leaning on their leadership.

Freshman Caileigh O’Shea is the team’s faceoff guru but scored 3 goals against Hewlett. Olivia Clarkson, the twin sister of the goalie, is on defense, along with freshman Rylee Fanning.

The young Generals have been streaky and had lost three straight last week with defeats to unbeaten Friends Academy, an 11-10 heartbreaker to Mineola and a loss to Roslyn that marked the worst of the season.

 MacArthur led Mineola by a goal with 5 minutes left but lost the lead with the game-winner scored with 1:30 left. But the win over Hewlett has the Generals marching to the playoffs in stride.